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1/27/2012

(Because some of our community also go to the Safra synagogue, I am now going to use the same times as they do)

In talking about the Exodus this week, children play a central role. On the one hand the first born of Egypt are condemned as a result of their parents actions, something that is unfair legally and contradicts Biblical law where one can only be punished for one’s own actions. But in terms of history we are all the products of our homes one way or another, for better or for worse.

The other feature of the Torah this week is that three times it says either “When your children ask you” “And you shall explain to your children” and you shall “Engage with your children.” It is all to do with education, with passing on a tradition but doing it by being involved. On Passover in the Hagadah, there are different types of children, good, intelligent, apathetic and inexperienced who all need engaging with differently, to each according to his or her capacity. That is a sign of good and caring parents.

We tell the history of the Exodus, just as nowadays we tell the story of how we moved from one world and culture to another. So we tell. That’s pure history. But history, important as it is, is in the past. What parents need to do, is to give their children ways of living their lives in the future. The most powerful way of transmitting value, religion, culture is in the present, if the parents are not just telling how it used to be, but living it in their lives now. That is good education. It is concerned with transmitting values and the best way to do that is by example.

Our children pick up very quickly what our priorities are and if we do some things half-heartedly or without involvement they soon pick up this message and do the same. Pharaoh’s children learned the dismissive condescending attitude to spirituality their parents exuded and they paid the price. The model the Torah gives us is of homes in which parents are involved, talking, discussing with their children and living a Jewish way of life with them. That is why our tradition has survived.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Jeremy

I have been asked to let you know that on February 15th Rav Shmuel Eliyahu, Rav of Tsfat will be speaking at the Safra synagogue 11 E 63rd Street at 6.30 pm. Refreshments will be served.

1/19/2012

When Moses begins his long struggle to change Pharaoh’s mind he starts with the ‘tricks’ that God taught him at the Burning bush. We are bound to wonder why God bothered to show him these ‘miracles’ if Pharaoh’s magicians were able to replicate them.

The fact is that they could indeed copy some of them but in the end they had to accept the limitations of their skills and concede that there was a greater power than theirs. Part of this process was to persuade Egypt that even if technologically and materially it as the greatest power at the time, the Children of Israel and their God still had something valuable to offer, a level of understanding that went beyond the technical and scientific and into the realms of the spiritual. But Pharaoh thought he had control over the spiritual too, through his magicians. He had never experienced anything different.

We are similar today. Look how easy it is to fool us. Whether it is David Copperfield, or financial con-men taking advantage of our desire to make quick money, or so called wonder rabbis who offer promises, blessings and investment tips in exchange for large ‘donations,’ they all rely on our credulity and naiveté. And it often takes time and disappointment before we realize that we can do just as well without these ‘magicians.’ Magic, luck is fickle. Ask any gambler. It may work temporarily but it never lasts. That’s the message here.

Just as Pharaoh had to learn the limitations of trickery so do we today. Human nature hasn’t changed much. We want someone to take care of us, to persuade us that he has superior knowledge of the mysteries of life and solve our problems. The truth is we are the best equipped to be our own guides if only we have the confidence and if we follow the guide lines given to Moses and given to us and live a life that reinforces our own natural spiritual qualities.

I believe we have the powers within us to solve most of our own problems. We may need expertise and great spiritual minds to give us direction but in the final analysis it is up to us. No magic, no miracles.

Welcome

Regardless of background or denomination, you are welcome at the Persian Jewish Center.

At present we rent space in Park East Synagogue, where we hold weekly Shabbat morning and holiday services from 9:30-noon on the following schedule:

9:30

Service begins with Yishtabach

10:15

Kriat HaTorah

11:15

Musaf

11:35

Rabbi's Talk/Q&A Session

We are informal, so you are welcome to drop in at any time during the service.

Although our services follow the strictly traditional and ancient format, the rabbi gives explanations in English, in addition to his speech and question-and-answer session (both in English) after the service.

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